BASKETBALL

BASKETBALL; Syracuse to Release Report

By WILLIAM C. RHODEN

Published: February 12, 1992

Syracuse University has scheduled a news conference on campus for this morning to release the results of a 13-month internal investigation into its basketball program.

Among other things, the 37-page report, of which a copy was obtained by The New York Times, concedes that there were a number of minor violations committed. But the report does not recommend that action be taken against Jim Boeheim, the head basketball coach, or his two main assistants.

But the report said that the university was anticipating a letter of inquiry from the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Syracuse began its investigation as the result of a two-part series in The Syracuse Post Standard in December 1990. Among other things, the paper charged that players routinely received a wide range of extra benefits from boosters and that at least two former players spoke of grade changes.

Last year, the university disassociated Rob Johnson from the program. Johnson, a well-known figure in New York City basketball circles, was judged by the N.C.A.A. to be a representative of Syracuse University.

Although the report did not mention any plans to censure anyone else, there is speculation that Bill Rapp, the owner of a prominent Syracuse automobile dealership and a close friend of Jim Boeheim, may be receiving a letter of censure.

According to allegations contained in the newspaper, Rapp sent Christmas cards containing $50 to players in every season from 1983-84 to 1989-90.

The investigation concluded that some of the cards contain money, which is in violation of N.C.A.A. regulations. It was also determined that free legal services were made to certain basketball players.

The internal investigation was conducted by the university's general counsel in conjunction with an oversight committee made up of faculty members.

The N.C.A.A. must now decide whether there is sufficient cause to begin its own investigation.